FIGS COMMUNICATIONS

Let me tell you a story,
a bittersweet recollection:
my dear friend had a dream— to do what he loved—
and found it’s not that easy.

Dental school is very hard.
A plummeting work ethic spells “misery.”
He who was once a beacon of hope to elves wanting more than gum drops and peppermint sticks
for outstanding work ethics,
is now embarrassed to reveal his work on patients’ bicuspids.

I think he’s gotten shorter… cant’ reach the patient’s mouth;
legs too stubby to adjust the pedal on the floor.
I think he’s gotten lonely… conversations are dull; people don’t talk
“joy and cheer” 24/7.

He gets postcards from the North Pole: “Hermie— we’re rooting for you!
Love, Santa and the Elves”
and tears well in his beady eyes as he recalls his roots.

All he had for his resume was the 250 plaques
for “above-and-beyond craftsmanship.”
Now all he has is a mouthful of plaque.

Out flew the Golden Rule
he once knew: “job complete, get a treat.” Now
the Doc says, “You

can’t teach people good hygiene if you don’t have any to begin with!”

But he continues tucking cookie recipes into dental goodie bags
and still flosses with tinsel and rinses with eggnog
because he was an elf before a dentist.

To those elves still wanting
to do what they love, remember: those who have the power of optimism
have the power to pursue their dreams.